Hyaena mask "suruku"

Description

wood, collection number “75-33-5”

This mask belongs to the initiation community of the “korè” society, which marks the boys’ transition into adulthood.

According to Zahan, the “korè” is divided into different classes, each with their own masks and totems. A distinction can be made between “surukuw” (hyena), “jaraw” (lion) and “sulaw” (monkey).

The complex symbolism of the hyena means that its appearance can have strongly changing meanings depending on the context. So the masks appear in performances, which are supposed to show the initiates by negative example how not to behave. Mostly, however, they appear as mythical teachers who know all the secrets of the bush and help the initiates to perfect their secret knowledge.